Victoria Food and History Tour: Six Local Tastings

Six tastings, seven stops, two hours through Victoria's streets and alleyways

A 2-hour guided food and history tour of Victoria begins at Phillips Brewing Tasting Room and moves through seven stops—The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, Government Street, the Inner Harbour, and Parliament Buildings—with six local tastings woven through the route and a live guide in English. The tour runs rain or shine and is wheelchair accessible; children under 19 cannot participate in tastings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Victoria food and history walking tour

• Begin at Phillips Brewing Tasting Room
• Visit quiet Chinatown alleyway
• Walk through Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown
• Explore Market Square public space
• Stop at original Fort Victoria site
• Stroll Government Street shops and bars
• Finish near Legislative Assembly buildings

The Experience

The tour starts inside Phillips Brewing Tasting Room on Government Street and moves through downtown Victoria on foot. Along the way you stop at The Gates of Harmonious Interest, walk Canada's narrowest thoroughfare through the heart of Chinatown, and spend time in Market Square—once a trading ground for animals in Old Town and now a vibrant public space. Each stop includes a tasting from a local vendor, and the guide talks through the history and quirks of the neighbourhood as you move between them.

The route takes you to Bastion Square, the original site of Fort Victoria from 1843, now lined with restaurants and bars. From there you walk through Government Street's pedestrian area full of shops and busking, then finish near the Legislative Assembly buildings overlooking the Inner Harbour. The whole tour is two hours and covers ground at a walking pace; all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller.

Six tastings are included along the route. The tour is owner-operated and runs every day regardless of weather. A live English-speaking guide leads the group; you'll need to complete a short digital liability waiver (takes less than 10 seconds) after booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age for tasting participation is 19 years old—let the operator know about any allergies or food restrictions when you book.

What’s included

• Six local tastings at stops along the route.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full 2 hours.
• access to all seven stops including The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, Government Street, the Inner Harbour and Parliament Buildings.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by A Taste of Victoria Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide leading you through Victoria's history with six tastings built in, or choose the under-19 version if you'd prefer the same route and stories without the food stops.

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Top questions

What is Fan Tan Alley and why does the tour stop there?

Fan Tan Alley is Canada's narrowest thoroughfare and sits in the heart of Chinatown; the tour walks through it as part of the route through the historic neighbourhood.

Are the six tastings alcoholic, and what if I don't drink?

The tastings come from local vendors along the route; if you have allergies or food restrictions, let the operator know when you book so they can plan accordingly.

Can I bring my young children on this tour?

Children can join the tour and infants can ride in a pram or stroller, but the minimum drinking age for tastings is 19 years old, so younger children won't participate in those stops.

What happens if it rains?

The tour operates rain or shine, so it runs every day regardless of weather.

Is this tour accessible for someone in a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible; all areas and surfaces along the route are accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

How much walking is involved in the 2-hour tour?

The tour covers seven stops across downtown Victoria on foot at a walking pace, moving between Government Street, Chinatown, Market Square, Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour and Parliament Buildings.